Fun Stuff in New Hampshire and Maine? Can anyone help?

[*Robin*]

Hi! We just got the happy news that we'll be spending a couple of weeks in Rochester New Hampshire for a job DH is running. We would like to check out everything we can while we're there, does anyone have any ideas? It's our first time as a family out there, so the sky is the limit.

Thanks in advance everyone!

Robin

 

[mickeyboat]

How far away from Rochester are you willing to travel? Will you do day trips or maybe a couple of overnighters? How old are your kids?

The White Mountains of New Hampshire are a great source for things to do, from kiddie amusement parks to hiking. The Maine coast is great for antiquing, sitting on the beach (not going in the water), and seafood.

Denae

 

[*Robin*]

Wow, that was fast!

We have one son, 10, and we'll go just about anywhere. We will have our 2 dogs with us though, so the parks and ocean are a must, even if it's freezing (I'm hoping freezing is a thing of the past at this point!) Though I know there won't be any swimming.

Overnighters are fine, and kind of expected. I've wanted to see the New England coast since I was a kid, so I'm so excited. I'm also a photographer, so I'm stocking up fast!

Thank you!!

 

[*Robin*]

Oh and antiquing, Yes!!! LOL...You have no idea how excited I am about that...

 

[DisneyAddict_M]

You can come visit me.

I agree with visiting the White Mountains. Kinda touristy, but very pretty. I go up there every year. The Maine coast is gorgeous...visit Portland Head Light. So many great photo opps there. New England is a wonderful place to visit. I live in southern New Hampshire and I'm within short driving distance of the ocean, mountains, lakes, country AND cities.

 

[Crankyshank]

Bar Harbor ME is an absolute must to check out
Acadia National Park is gorgeous and since you mentioned photography, you would enjoy the scenery

Mt Washington in NH is a nice trip too. Unfortunately the Old Man is gone but it's still something to see.

 

[monarchsfan16]

When will you be here?

NH has I think 18 miles of coast. You can drive right along it on I believe old route 1. It's a gorgeous drive, with lots of ocean scenery, and HUGE houses to look at. The warmest the water ever gets up to is about 68, and that's in late August. This time of year it's probably 40ish, maybe 50, but if you've never been in the Atlantic you might want to stick your feet in anway just to say you did (I'll be doing the same in the Pacific when we go to CA this summer).
The White Mountains are gorgeous. I believe it's actually a fairly straight shot from Rochester to the White Mountains, up route 16. There are some touristy places but there are also some scenic things. If you like water falls, Jackson Falls in Jackson and Glen Ellis Falls are both gorgeous. Great for picture taking. You might consider taking the gondola up to the top of Wildcat Mountain (it's a ski area in the winter). On a clear day you can see for 60 miles, and it's a great way to get up close and personal with Mt. Washington which is litterally right across the street.
Portsmouth is a neat little city on the water, not too far from Rochester. Lots of good places to eat, and some neat places to shop too. If you like history Strawberry Banke (in Portsmouth) is very historical. There's a park right across the street from there, Prescott Park, that's right on the river. If you're here in the summer, they have concerts there every weekend (free I believe).

 

[mamacatnv]

Well, I am no NH expert, but my DH grew up in Salem, NH. and here are some of the things we have enjoyed doing over the years when we have gone back "home" to visit.

The gondola ride at Canon Mt. up in the White Mts. was beautiful.

The Kangamangus (sp??) highway thru the mountains was a beautiful drive.

The Childrens museum and Strawberry Bank in Portsmouth was a lot of fun. Really hands on stuff to do.

The Boston Museum of Science and the tour of "Old Ironside" are a must do on every visit. The Freedom Trail in Boston is also very educational and something IMHO worth doing at least once. I am also partial to Sturbridge Village in MA, although I don't get to go very often since DH's entire family is burned out on the place.

The shops villages of Portsmouth and Newberry Port were good for an entire day of shopping and eating each. Newicks (sp?) restaurant has the best lobster (IMHO)

Old Orchard Beach (can't remember where it is, So. Maine I believe) was lots of fun.

Boothbay Harbor in Maine is again beautiful and full of little shops and restaurants. (My grandfather lived there when I was a kid and we would go visit during the "Tall Ship" festival or whatever it is called.

Plymouth and the Cape are another good adventure.

Just a few things I thought of off the top of my head....Have Fun, I love New England!

 

[mickeyboat]

In the White Mountains

http://newhampshire.babyzone.com/parentresources.asp?type=Family+Fun:+Amusement+Parks

www.clarkstradingpost.com

www.polarcaves.com

There is outlet shopping in both North Conway, NH and Kittery, ME

In Maine for antiquing, drive up the coast on Route 1.

Denae

 

[monarchsfan16]

Oh yeah, the outlets in N. Conway are sales tax free. All of NH is. Maine has sales tax though

 

[jonestavern]

What time of year will you be traveling? many things are seasonal here abouts~

are your hotels all set? New England is considerably more pricey than other areas--(unless you're in NY or LA etc)

definitely have seafood whilst in Maine--ask the locals where they go.

do you like history? there are plenty of historical home tours available & a lovely living history venue in Portsmouth, NH
http://www.strawberybanke.org/
the town of Exeter, NH is lovely, lots of history, shops & smallish:
http://www.independencemuseum.org/

if you choose to go further inland, my longtime favorite is Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, Massachusetts, (that is in western, Mass):
http://www.osv.org/
allow at least one day. lots of things for kids to do. You can stay at OSV's Oliver Wight House (owned by OSV) or try the Publick House--our favorite--:
http://www.publickhouse.com/default.htm
there are other more modern hotels available, with many more amenities~

I work at an historic house--the President Franklin Pierce Homestead-- so feel free to PM me for any info on the other homes in the area~

Jean

 

[*Robin*]

LOL...You guys are the absolute best!! I forget how quick the community board moves!

These are all just amazing things, I'm heading to AAA on Monday to pick up everything I can find, but there's nothing like true experience.

We're leaving NEXT SATURDAY! One of the things about his job....if you want to go, you've got to be ready....anytime!! (Unfortunately it changes at the drop of a hat too...but hopefully not here!)


Really, thank you, thank you, thank you!! I knew I could count on the dis...DH thinks I'm wacky to always come here, but you know what? I love it!

(and you know what the coolest thing about this? I still get my vacation this fall to WDW...I feel like I hit the lottery!!)

 

[DisneyAddict_M]

Would you be opposed to traveling to MA? Salem, MA is a fun, historic place to visit. I work there.

 

[Jen_in_NH]

For antiquing - Rt. 4 in Northwood NH aka Antique alley

Any of the beaches are great, although Hampton Beach gets a bit touristy. Lake Winnepesaukee is really nice, and not too far from Rochester. Ellacoya State Park in Gilford is a good beach on the lake. In Conway, there is some good outlet shopping, as well as the Conway Scenic Railroad (it takes pets too!). The train through Crawford Notch is awesome.

In Maine, Portland has quite a bit of intersting stuff. Depending how far away you want to go, Boothbay Harbor is really nice. Acadia and Bar Harbor are excellent, but would be about a 4 hour drive.

Jen

 

[mtdevine615]

Must do's are the White Mtn's very nice drive along the "Kanc" Highway as most people call it because they can't say Kancamagus. Portland headlight lighthouse and the Old Port area of Portland and let's not forget all of the outlet stores in Kittery and North Conway. And oh yes you have to go to L.L. Bean's in Freeport plus they have outlet stores also. Bar Harbor is great but it's a little far from Rochester about 4.5 - 5 hours. There's also some great seafood along the coast. Another tourist place is Old Orchird Beach, ME just south of Portland. A great beach and food stands. So much to do and so little time. Have a great time in my backyard.

 

[*Robin*]

Disney addict M, I'm not opposed to anything! I would actually love to go to Salem! I do a lot of Halloween art, and this would just be too much fun! (Don't you believe for a minute you're the weirdest one on the block! LOL)

NH Has no TAX?? wooohooo! lol...just kidding, sort of!

It sounds like I need to set aside a lot of time for shopping!

You guys really are the best, did I say that???

 

[luvwinnie]

I love Boothbay Harbor. This year we are going to Kennebunkport area (more south), which looks wonderful...and to Freeport for the SHOPPING! Be sure to report backk when you return.

 

[DisneyAddict_M]

Yeah, NH has no sales tax. ME actually has a high sales tax. I do most of my shopping in NH just for that reason.

York Beach in Maine is nice too. There's a zoo and small amusement park there. At least there used to be. I haven't been in years. I remember the BEST breakfast place ever there. And the best burgers in the world are at Son of a Beach, which is just a little stand next to the Union Bluff hotel.

 

[jonestavern]

Must do's are the White Mtn's very nice drive along the "Kanc" Highway as most people call it because they can't say Kancamagus.

For decades, DH's family calls it the "Gang of Maggots" highway!

Jean

 

[mickeyboat]

For decades, DH's family calls it the "Gang of Maggots" highway!

Jean

That would be "gag-emi-gus" for us. Emily throws up every time we go over there. Remember last summer when that freak was hanging out inside the toilets at the rest area trying to get a glimpse of something? Ewwww?

Denae